Insulin icodec (Awiqli – Novo Nordisk), an ultra-long-acting basal human insulin analog, has been approved by the FDA for once-weekly treatment of type 2 diabetes. Two long-acting insulin analogs are available in the US for once-daily use: glargine and degludec (see Table 1). Insulin icodec has been available in Canada since 2024.
INSULIN FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES — Many patients with type 2 diabetes eventually require insulin for glycemic control. When adding insulin to other glucose-lowering drugs, a basal insulin is usually the first choice.
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RELEASE
The injectable GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide (Mounjaro – Lilly), which was approved by the FDA in 2022 for treatment of type 2 diabetes,1 has now been approved to reduce the risk of MACE in adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for these events. Tirzepatide is also available as Zepbound for chronic weight management and for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.2,3
GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS — The injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists semaglutide (Ozempic), dulaglutide (Trulicity), and liraglutide (Victoza) and oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) are also approved for cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with type 2 diabetes. These drugs have reduced the risk of MACE by up to 20%.4
A CLINICAL STUDY — FDA approval of tirzepatide for the new indication was based on the results of a …